Barrow County Fire and Emergency Services is reminding citizens that September is National Preparedness Month — a time when families should develop or update their disaster preparedness plan and kits.

“It is important for every citizen to be prepared for a disaster that may affect them and their family,” said Lt. Scott Dakin, public information officer.

Being prepared can reduce the impact a disaster and can even help to avoid a disaster from occurring. It can also help to reduce some fears and anxieties when disaster hits.

The time to determine what to do in a disaster is before the disaster occurs. When you develop a disaster plan, you are able to calmly think about what you need to do if a disaster happens, instead of having to make these decisions in the emotionally charged atmosphere when the disaster occurs.

“The need to prepare is very important and real,” Dakin said. “Disasters happen many times everyday, all over the world. A disaster can happen to anyone.”

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, disasters affect hundreds of thousands of lives every year. These disasters have lasting affects to lives and properties. These affects can be reduced when the citizens involved are prepared for these disasters.

To be prepared, citizens need to know what type of disasters could affect their lives. These disasters include such things as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and residential structure fires.

Once you know what type of disasters to prepare for, you can start making your plans. These plans should include such things as who to contact when a disaster occurs and where you can go if a disaster occurs and you can not live in your home.

“Firefighters are constantly training and planning for disasters,” Dakin said. “It helps us to be prepared for the disasters when they occur, and therefore helps us to reduce the affects of the disaster. That is why we know how important preparing is.”

To help prepare your disaster preparedness plan and your disaster preparedness kit you can log onto www.ready.gov or www.fema.gov.

I love it when emergency personnel get involved with the prevention as well as the intervention. Great job!

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